Activity
What is Structured Academic Controversy?
A step-by-step guide for students participating in a Structured Academic Controversy, a method that fosters critical thinking and consensus-building through structured debate and perspective-taking.
Directions
What is Structured Academic Controversy?
In Structured Academic Controversy, like a debate, you present and advocate an assigned position, listen to an opposing argument, and then offer a rebuttal. However, in Structured Academic Controversy, you then reverse perspectives and argue the other side. In this way, you are forced to consider both sides of an issue. You then step outside of your assigned positions and work with your teammates to create a consensus statement to which everyone can agree.
How does Structured Academic Controversy work?
Guidelines
- I am critical of ideas, not people. I challenge and refute the ideas of the opposing team, but I do not indicate I personally reject them.
- I focus on coming to the best decision possible, not winning (i.e., We are all winners here. This isn’t a competition.).
- I encourage everyone to participate and master all relevant information.
- I listen to everyone’s ideas, even if I do not agree.
- I ask for clarification if I am confused or something is unclear.
- I try to understand both sides of the issue.